I John 2:3-6
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
I recently read of a situation that occurred when the great English missionary C.T. Studd attended a Keswick Convention in the late 1800's. F.B. Meyer who was a great speaker, called Studd up to share how God was working in Africa. Meyer reports that in a short 15 minute testimony, the power of the Holy Spirit fell on the crowd of over 7,000 ministers to the extent that some were crying out loudly. Meyer, who was a great speaker in his own power, knew that Studd possessed something that he himself did not have.
Very early the next morning, Meyer sought out Studd who had already been awake for hours. Meyer asked Studd how long he had been up and Studd replied that he got up very early to search the scripture to seek out as many of Christ's commands as possible. He simply stated that he was going through Christ's commands one-by-one and realizing how many of the keys to different areas in his life he was holding back. When Meyer asked him the secret of his power, Studd replied that each day it was necessary to surrender to Christ the key to every single area of his life...only then, could the power of the Holy Spirit flow through him.
Dr. Stephen Olford picks up the story and reports that shortly after Meyer's encounter with Studd, Meyer recognized his own selfishness had kept many areas of his life apart from Christ. In humility and brokenness, he cried out to God that "although I am not willing, I am willing to be made willing." God answered his prayer and Meyer went on to become one of England's greatest preachers, filled with the Holy Spirit. He credits the testimony of C.T. Studd to leading him to his own encounter with God where he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
When was the last time your heart was stirred and warmed by the Holy Spirit? Is what we call "Christianity" even worthy to be compared with the abundant life that Christ promised to His true followers?
As Canton draws close, let each one of us examine ourselves in light of the following quote. I am starting to see that this will cost me everything...it means death to my flesh and my flesh resists this with all the power of hell. Let's continue to pray for each other even more as our trip draws near. Do you know Him?
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined.
Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship.Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be
alone with the New Testament."
- Soren Kierkegaard
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